Robots: Science Fiction II

In its latest episode, the Robots Podcast interviews science fiction author Greg Bear. Over the years, Bear has been awarded two Hugos and five Nebula awards and has been called the "Best working writer of hard science fiction" by "The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction". In the interview, Bear discusses how robots can double as mirrors for the human condition and the moral issues of delegating more and more responsibilities to AIs. He then dives into Isaac Asimov’s work, sharing some of his insights after writing a sequel to the Foundation series. For more on Greg Bear, including a short promo clip of his latest book HULL ZERO THREE, read on or directly tune in to the interview.

Source: http://robots.net/article/3081.html

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Eight cities, eight teachers, one goal ? helping kids succeed

Each of us had a teacher who challenged us to be who we are today.  They pushed us a little harder.  They inspired us to do more.  They believed in our ability to succeed. 

To celebrate great teachers and to encourage people to get involved in a teaching across the world, Bing’s REDU initiative has partnered with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Foundation to help sponsor eight teachers for a full school year through the Teach for America and Teach for All International programs at www.letsredu.com/caafoundation

Teach for America and Teach for All International enlist our most promising future leaders to teach in urban and rural public schools.

 

These teachers are on the front lines of education reform and are critical to the development of the nation’s youth. REDU and the CAA Foundation are behind their efforts to positively impact the lives of young people in America and around the world. Reflecting the global need for great teachers, we are supporting educators in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, New Orleans, London and China.

Show your support by going to www.letsredu.com/caafoundation where you can learn more about each teachers through an inspiring video introductions and follow along throughout the year (by following @letsredu on Twitter) to get a true sense of the struggles and successes new teachers around the world face.  In keeping with REDU’s goal of inspiring direct action, you will find resources explaining how companies and organizations can sponsor their own teacher and start a similar program. 

- Aya Zook, REDU Team

 

Source: http://www.bing.com/community/Site_Blogs/b/search/archive/2010/12/21/eight-cities-eight-teachers-one-goal-helping-kids-succeed.aspx

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Meet Treeduino

What's "powered by sugarplum fairies and the internet?"The Treeduino of course!


 
 
 
 
 

The above video might not look like much - just the standard (though lovely) Christmas tree in the average (though lovely) living room. But go here - from that website, you can control the various lights and the star on the tree. Turn them on, turn them off - in any combination your heart desires. Send the command to the tree, and watch it change on the uStream channel. It's tough to see when it's daytime, but at night it looks fantastic.

Have questions? Check out their FAQ section. Keep in mind that the tree is easily overwhelmed - if there are more than 10 users trying to change the lights at one time, it might not work so well. So wait your turn - 'tis the season and all that noise.

Oh, and a reminder - we are closed today (12/24) and Monday (12/27). We'll be back, fully-charged with the holiday spirit and working faster than a troupe of Santa's elves to get your orders out. Happy holidays everyone! Cheers!

Source: http://www.sparkfun.com/news/511

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Real-time Face Time = the New Primetime

The following essay is also my column in next week's Advertising Age.

Real-time + Face Time = the New Primetime

One of the realities of the modern era and the age of continuous information streams is that consumers now expect, rather than simply demand, that their needs be addressed in real time. One of my former colleagues summed this up best by calling the phenomenon "The Baby Monitor Principle."

The basic premise is that once an infant knows a baby monitor is in a room and comprehends what it does, he/she begins to use it to their advantage. Babies somehow understand that when they cry, mom or dad will come running to save the day. So they cry some more.

In the digital space, a similar metaphor rings true. Savvy consumers now are well aware that companies are listening in to their conversations on Twitter and Facebook. And some are using it to their advantage. They know that if they're vocal enough and find a community of like minded individuals, brands will eventually have to cater to their needs. Business has evolved by establishing robust digital embassies on platforms like Twitter.

It's not just social media, however, that's encouraging companies to live a far more dynamic existence than they're accustomed to. In many ways, it's also the new mobile services, some social, that are arming consumers with essential real-time information. and changing our behaviors and expectations. 

Consider Red Laser, a popular iPhone application that is owned by eBay (an Edelman client). Red Laser gives consumers the ability to scan bar codes to find cheaper prices. There are countless other apps available for all platforms. As tools like Red Laser become more popular, it's conceivable that retailers will have to empower their personnel at the point of sale to be more nimble in approving just-in-time pricing.

Not sitting on their laurels, retailers are already wisely responding to such empowered consumers by dangling equally attractive alternatives. Macy's, Sports Authority and Best Buy (also an Edelman client), for example, all are aggressively promoting ShopKick. This new platform rewards customers with savings and rewards for using their phones when they are physically in a store or shopping mall.

However, the war doesn't end there. This may end up a game of whack-a-mole as new real-time services continually emerge.

One such technology is LucyPhone, a web site that lets you bypass one of the joys of life - waiting on hold for customer service. Simply dial a consumer 1-800 hotline via LucyPhone, then disconnect the call once you're placed into the holding carousel and they will dial you back once a real human joins the call.

Lastly there's Google Instant - a controversial new offering from the search giant that alters your results in real-time with every letter you type. This immediate feedback mechanism is sure to alter search behaviors over time, forcing marketers to constantly look at how they pivot their content and ads.

Queen Rania of Jordan once said that "real time is the new primetime." And she's right. Business must aspire to operate in real-time, or come as close to it as they possibly can. However, this is just the beginning. Enter face time.

Despite all of the wonders of the modern age that we live in, technology has not diminished the need for human interaction. We still like to see who we're talking to and how they physically react to our questions and concerns.

The coming years will usher in a gaggle of new devices that bring face-to-face communication to our pockets and bring back in vogue. Apple's FaceTime, for example, is a new video communication standard that the company is looking to make available across a number of devices.

The moral of the story here is that every business today must try to catch up to consumers by becoming one that loves living in real time. At the same time, organizations also need to being to stay one step ahead of their customers by leveraging emerging face-to-face technologies before others do.

This two-fisted combo - real-time plus face-time - is the new primetime.

Photo credit: Chris Lamphear via masternewmedia.org

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steverubel/~3/vhrSK9cngrM/real-time-face-time-the-new-primetime

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Square Enix Files Trademark in Europe for Final Fantasy Type-0

Square Enix filed a trademark yesterday for "Final Fantasy Type-0" with the OHIM, the trademark office for the European Union. The filing included a logo, seen above. While the company has been openly discussing a number of projects bearing the Final Fantasy name in recent months, the phrase "type-0" was not mentioned in English or in Japanese.

The filing was uncovered by Silconera who noted that the Japanese company does not normally include a logo with every filing. Silconera pointed to next month's 1st Production Department Premiere as a potential unveiling for something connected to this new trademark.

Source: http://www.1up.com/news/square-enix-trademark-ff-type-zero

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Argentina's Dancing with the Stars Is Pretty Much Straight Up Porn [Video]

On Bailando por un Sueño</em>, the Argentinian equivalent of Dancing with the Stars, stripping the dancer, baring her breasts, licking them, and finger her nether regions are apparently not against the rules. How can we import this show? More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gawker/full/~3/vhJ5XJJZP4s/argentinas-dancing-with-the-stars-is-pretty-much-straight-up-porn

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Holiday Gifts: Handmade, Local and Re-gifts

For the holidays I received some new eau de toilette and realized that the ones sitting on my dresser had been there for over 3 years and I hadn't worn them in awhile. They smelled pretty good still and they still had over 25% of it left over (all the more reason to buy half an ounce at a time).
And by the way, it is suggested that you keep your eau de toilettes out of the bathroom and put it someplace that keeps at room temperature.
Flickr/CC - morenoandres
A new perfume/cologne, but how to use the old one?
? Use as a room deodorizer (bathroom, bedroom, automobile)
? Spray into a new vacuum bag or emptied container
? Ward off animals around your garden - Spray strips of material and hang around garden
? Hold onto them for a selling at a yard sale (keep them out of the sun though)
? Spray onto your light bulbs - instead of paying $10 a piece, also spray when they are turned off.
? Spritz into the TP roll when changing - save $$ on scented rolls from Charmin
? Use in the drawer, closet or gym bag - spray a cotton ball and put a couple in the corners
? Take it to work and keep handy against those lunch smells

Homemade/Local Made
Let me start off by stating that store bought items are wonderful and I love to receive them. Now I will also say there is a special place in my heart for those items that have had extra sweat poured into them. (Not counting all the cool items handed down through the family)

I still have the king sized peach colored quilt my grandmother stitched for me in 1992. She was unsure how I would use it, and gave me a way to hang it up with a rod as well as sewing information about  the quilt, such as when it was made, by whom and who designed the patterns for it (my great grandmother and great, great grandmother).
Other items around the house that hold a special place in my heart:
? A melted bottle spoon holder
? Bottles of spices made from herb garden
? Many ceramic dishes and housewares made by a family member
? Jars of jelly, cookies and homemade breads
? Locally made organic Zkano socks (won a pair- no rule against being free)
? 8mm home movies put onto a dvd
? Homemade soaps that smell yummy

Organizing the Re-Gifts
This year I only re-gifted one item that I had been holding onto for a few months, it is my goal to re-gift at least one item a year and maybe more; but it isn't something I have control over.

There are just some gifts that don't work with our personality or interests. It is at those times you smile big (include the crinkle at your eyes for a genuine smile) and say "thank you very much!" Then you set the item aside and when you are alone, put a post-it note on the item with the name of the person who gave it to you so you don't accidentally give it back.

Keep a box or an easily accessible corner in the closet to put it away for that upcoming birthday or holiday where you can pull it out and wrap it for another person who will appreciate it more, thus saving yourself money and not wasting the money of the giver.

Flickr/cc - tornatore
6 Words of Wisdom on Re-gifting:
? It's a Secret - Don't let the giver or the receiver know, unless you are certain they are ok with the idea of re-gifting.
? Clean and Update it - Make sure the dust is cleaned off and any old wrapping is removed. Clean the past off and give it a new future.
? Stay Away from Hand-me-downs - If I've seen you wear it around and I said I liked it, I really don't want it as a gift. Re-gifts should look like new. There are the occasional special situations, such as the family heirloom. But the bamboo cutting board should look new, not like you used it for last night's stir fry.
? Keep Track - Like I said above, find a way to keep track of who the giver was, so that you don't give it back to them or their circle of friends and they recognize it again.
? Sell it off - When you have no idea who to re-gift the item to, then sell it off to someone new and use the money towards your gift buying. Or even better, give it away to a charity and get a tax write-off receipt for it.
? Re-gifting White Elephants - These are the same items you give back and forth to the same people over and over again. This is something that is mutually agreed upon. This would be a used book, or a bad brick of bread and so on.

What are some items you would NEVER re-gift?


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/IpRp/~3/U6zg2r1G0Hk/holiday-gifts-handmade-local-and-re.html

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Bing and National Geographic bring world-class photos to you on Bing Homepage

Some things just naturally go together: Fred and Ginger; Bogart and Bacall; peanut butter and jelly. Today, I’m incredibly pleased to announce another natural partnership: Bing and National Geographic.

Our goal at the Bing homepage is to bring you beautiful, compelling photographs that encourage you to explore the world around you every day, even if you never leave home. What better way to meet this goal than to partner with one of the largest non-profits in the world devoted to exploration and a leader in high-quality photojournalism?

This month, we will begin featuring some of the stunning photos from National Geographic photographers on www.bing.com.

We hope you enjoy this partnership as much as we do!

Stephanie Horstmanshof

Managing Editor

Follow the homepage team on Twitter

Find Bing on Facebook

Source: http://www.bing.com/community/Site_Blogs/b/search/archive/2010/12/15/bing-and-national-geographic.aspx

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Hot or Not: E-mail Marketing vs. Social-Media Marketing

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The following is also my column this week in Advertising Age.

Contrary to popular belief, video didn't kill the radio star, YouTube didn't knock off TV and Twitter didn't shut down blogging. However, in each case the steady advance of new technology definitely forced the incumbents to evolve. One can argue, for example, that some of the more established blogs on the web benefited greatly from building content strategies that engender massive link sharing on Twitter. Much the same, TV ad creative has changed to facilitate additional exposure on YouTube.

Enter e-mail marketing, which, to some degree, has been beaten down by regulation, and has taken a backseat to social networking. Nielsen revealed last week that e-mail's share of time declined 28%, putting it in third place, while social networking, the leader, climbed 43%.

Despite these attention currents, however, the reality is that e-mail is stronger than ever. According to an eConsultancy study of 1,400 U.S. consumers, 42% said they prefer to receive ads for sales and specials via e-mail compared to just 3% who said the same for social-networking sites and 1% who preferred Twitter.

Savvy marketers are beginning to see that if they leverage all of their channels effectively, they can increase their overall ROI and, in the process, establish a deeper bond with customers and influencers.

They will have help.

Quietly and steadily, email marketing is evolving and turning more social, thanks to a blitz of homegrown innovations, acquisitions and start-ups that are reinventing the platform. Many companies are building end-to-end "social CRM" tools that will help marketers manage their relationships by mashing up existing customer touch points and social-networking sites.

Here's a look at some of the companies in the space:

  • Constant Contact, an e-mail-marketing vendor, in May acquired Nutshellmail, a handy tool that helps individuals and businesses manage their entire social-networking presence via e-mail. Nutshellmail offers a suite of plug-ins, including one that makes it easy for businesses on Facebook to add an e-mail newsletter. Constant Contact is planning to build this into an entire end-to-end offering for small -and medium-size businesses.
  • Rapportive, which provides contextually relevant information to Gmail and Google Apps users about their contacts and the companies they work for, last week generated a fair amount of buzz for raising a seed round that included high-profile investors such as Paul Bucheit, Gmail's architect and now a key member of the Facebook team. Xobni, a similar technology that integrates with Blackberrys, Facebook, LinkedIn and more, raised $16 million earlier this year. Meanwhile, Microsoft's new Outlook Connector brings a similar functionality right to millions of corporate desktops.
  • MailChimp, a popular e-mail-newsletter platform, is in the process of integrating Facebook "like" buttons to campaigns. This will provide marketers with detailed analytics that reveal how many and who clicks on "like" and whether they progressed down the funnel toward a sale, thereby increasing overall accountability.
  • Flowtown and Rapleaf, meanwhile, are taking the opposite approach by helping marketers understand the social connectivity and influence of existing members in their online databases. Flowtown has an e-mail-campaign-management system that integrates with many of the larger platforms, as well as an array of powerful insights tools.

As more marketers apply analytics across the entire marketing spectrum (online and offline) and tap into tools like the ones mentioned above, the mentality will change from reach to relationships. In the process, both e-mail and social-media marketing may gain, but what's clear is that the two are increasingly made for each other.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/steverubel/~3/0WfEPNZcvnI/hot-or-not-e-mail-marketing-vs-social-media-m

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